Details of Highlands broadband plans remain unclear

Detailed plans for the rollout of super-fast broadband in the Scottish Highlands and Islands are still unclear, according to a spokeswoman for the project.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has recently announced a £146 million deal with BT to upgrade connections in the area, but can only confirm that high-speed internet will not be available until 2017.

A spokeswoman for the company told the West Highland Free Press it is "too soon" to release exact details about when work will begin in specific areas.

However, she claimed the project will "deliver next-generation broadband to the majority of people in each area - compared to the 21 per cent who would have received it without this project".

Earlier this year, Alan Reid, the MP for Argyll and Bute, criticised HIE and BT over delays in finalising details concerning the scheme.

The companies agreed to collaborate on the project in June 2012, but did not formalise the deal until the end of March this year.